Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-10-27
ADA ADAIR.

How an Actress Became a Clergyman's Wife,
One glorious morning in midsummer
two ladies were sitting in rustic Longing
chair upon wide veranda of the Hem
lock inn.
The younger, fair maid with dark,
blue eyes and wealth of golden hair,
gazed dreamily out upon the charming
view, a little lake amid the pine-clad
Adirondack hills, calm and still in glare
of August sunshine.
The older lady held an open newspaper
in her hand, and had just read in it this
notice, mystical to the uninitiated:
COMET rHEATER CALL, SEASON 1867.
The ladies and gentlemen of the COM
pany will assemble in the green-room,
Monday, August 30, at ten q. M, for first
rehearsal. Season opens September 6.
She realized sadly that the time had
come when they must bid farewell to this
quaint mountain village, and go back to
the. toll and striving of the city. After
the biissful dalliance of holiday it is
not pleasant to think Of returning to the
burden and worry of commonplace labor.
But this was but passing regret; there
was a more serious cause for disquletude
at this sudden summons.
will tell Arthur to day the true story of
my lite. 1 have done wrong in not tell
ing him long ago."
Her mothers face frightened. cit will
be the best 20 do So" she replied, 81
am confident that it will make no differ
ence in his feeling toward you, while,
should some accident disclose that you
are son the STAGE the discovery that you
hou he
breach between YOU"
'Then, dear, will tell him all as soon
dis he comes. Iexpect him to call every
moment"
s'Indeed, you can not defer it any long
err" yejoined her mother; rehearsal on
the 10TH, only a week ahead"
At this instant a chSery voice exclaim-
ed "Good morning, ladies!" and Arthur
Marin stepped upon the balcony. The
blush that came into the young girls
cheeks toll clearly that Rev. Arthur Mar
vim was the she" of the preceding con-
yersation.
He had come to Hemlockville two
years before in an endeavor TO repair by
long rest the ravages close and siduous
application to his studies had wrought In
his constitution. Being successful in his
WY
the word be taught fell upon willing ears
he had permanently settled in the village
as rector Of the Episcopalian church.
Until the advent of this fair maid into
his life he had been indifferent 10 city
and country bellies alike, but from the mo-
ment he first beheld her he felt that here
was women he could love.
Throughout the happy months of her
vacation, as they drove along the shady
roads, roWed over the lake, or strOlled on
the picturesque paths that bordered it,
they told again the old, old story that is
forever new. the romance Of the liking
of young hearts.
Mrs. Vaughan was the widow of an act
or, and Penelope, her daughter, was an
actress at the Comet Theater, the home
of the burlesque," where she was known
as Miss Ada Adair. None of the board
ers in the Hemlock inn were aware of
this; nor did Arthur know it. As we
have seen, Penelope had determined to
tell him at the first opportunity.
Arthur had only time to say few
words about the concert that was to take
place that evening, and then he was
Obliged 10 leave them. Penelope was
forced to await another occasion to dis
close her secret.
The guests of the Hemlock inn had
hired the village hall for that night, and
announced a grand vocal and instru-
mental concert for the benefit of Mr..
Marvin's church. Penelope, who never
sang in the hotel parlors, as the other Ia
dies did, had surprised the managers by
offering so sing a solo.
When her turn came to appear before
the crowded audience, she walked quietly
out upon the small stage, and sang the
soulful words of London Bridge" She
felt in strange accord with its weird re-
frain:
Storm and sunshine. peace and strife,
Over the bridge they go;
Floating on in tire tide of life,
Whittier no man shall know.
Who viii miss them there tomorrow?
Waits, that drift to the shade or sun!
Gone away with their songs and sorrow;
Only the river still flows on.
Hurry along, sorrow ADD song,
All is vanity, meath the sun,
Velvet and rags so the world wagS,
Until the river more shall run.
Her song aroused the audience to the
highest pitch of enthusiasm; they were
enraptured by the charm and passion IN
her high, full voice. A storms of applause
burst forth when she had finished, and
only after treble repetition did her
auditors reluctantly allow her to leave
the stage.
A young man who had only arrived at
the Hemlock inn that evening resolved
not to sit through the rest of the enter
tainment.
ssI'll pass the time better walking about,
thought he. Queer go, to find Ada Adair
here singing under strange name!'
So musiIg, he lit cigar, strobe the
hall, and set forth upon a ramDle through
the village.
This soon grew tiresome. He yawned
and stood for moment undecided weth
er to GO on OF not. sign opposite at